Tasting Room
SparklersWINE OF THE WEEK
Schramsberg
2003 North Coast Vynds., Blanc de Blancs, Napa - Sparkling wines ($35)
A bright, crisp sparkler with a creamy texture. Aromas and flavors of yeast, pear, melon, Golden Delicious apple and toast. Rich and ripe.
NV Cava Brut, Spain - Sparkling wines ($10)
This sparkler was undermined by off aromas and flavors. Two bottles tasted.
2000 Royal Cuvee, Carneros - Sparkling wines ($28)
A complex bubbly, rich and toasty. Aromas and flavors of yeast, melon and caramel. Clean and bright.
2001 Green Valley - Sparkling wines ($37)
A good sparkler. Crisp, clean and just a bit earthy. Bright, with notes of pear, melon and spice.
2002 Russian River Valley - Sparkling wines ($32)
A crisp, clean complex bubbly. Notes of toast, yeast and grapefruit. Soft texture. Slightly sweet. Great mousse.
1999 Anderson Valley - Sparkling wines ($47)
A rich bubbly, yeasty, toasty and nutty. This sparkler has a great mouth-feel and a lively mousse. Medium-bodied.
2001 Carneros - Sparkling wines ($75)
A rich bubbly, toasty, yeasty and creamy. Notes of pear, caramel and toffee. Balanced. Elegant, vibrant and showy.
NV Napa Valley - Sparkling wines ($18)
An appealing bubbly with bright fruit flavors of strawberry ad apple. Yet it's also rich, creamy and toasty.
NV Blanc de Noirs, Napa Valley - Sparkling wines ($18)
A fleshy bubbly, rich and creamy. Aromas and flavors of strawberry, peach and toast. Long finish.
NV Anderson Valley - Sparkling wines ($22)
A sparkler with toasty, bready aromas. Notes of caramel and toffee. Less complex than others in the flight.
2004 Napa, Mendo., Sonoma County, California - Sparkling wines ($37)
A toasty sparkler with tart fruit. Aromas and flavors of melon, apple, yeast and toast. Clean and rich.
TASTING PANEL: Mike Lee, vintner of Montecillo Vineyards; Larry Van Aalst, sommelier of Equus; Tom Simoneau, KSRO's "Wine Guy"; and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com